Next 50 Global Health Month

The third month of six celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair highlights the region’s leadership in global health innovation, education and collaboration. Scientists, teachers, philanthropists, legislators, engineers and volunteers have teamed up with Seattle Center and Global Health Nexus, an initiative of the Washington Global Health Alliance, to highlight the region’s accomplishments in global health. Join them for engaging activities addressing health issues that affect vulnerable people here and abroad. July also offers illuminating exhibits, temporary art projects, inflatable attractions, weekly film series and community gatherings that honor the past, celebrate the present and imagine future possibilities.

Next 50 Global Health Month recognizes the region’s emergence as a global health hub. Washington State’s investment in the commercialization of new global health technologies, coupled with the overall development of the global health sector over the past 30 years and the growth of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have proved extremely successful. This July, visitors to Seattle Center will learn about the extraordinary breakthroughs of local organizations involved in the area of global health – from life-saving vaccines, such as the promising malaria vaccine research conducted at Seattle BioMed, to the array of health innovations on display at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center.

Global Health Month includes:

July 1-Aug. 30: Global Health Experience– Interactive exhibit where visitors walk in the shoes of a person affected by malaria, diabetes or cancer. Participants learn about other global health challenges like maternal and newborn child health, or the importance of water and sanitation issues.

July 10: Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference – Gathering of the regional and international life sciences community to highlight the unique innovative environment of the Pacific Northwest’s life science sector.

July 14: Global Health Nexus “Be the Change” Student Competition Awards – Celebration of more than 250 Washington State high school, community college and undergraduate students who competed in advancing sustainable solutions, awareness and innovation in global health. The winners will be highlighted at the Groundswell celebration with Melinda Gates.

July 14: Groundswell, A Night for Global Health featuring Melinda Gates – The pinnacle event for Global Health Month, highlighting the unique partnerships that have set Seattle’s global health sector apart. Philanthropists, students, parents, researchers and business leaders will all come together to acknowledge the progress and the opportunities for greater impact, particularly for improving family health.

July 14: Agency, formerly “Party with a Purpose” – A party to inspire 20- and 30-somethings to gather, dance, network and take action on global health. This year’s party will support the University of Washington’s Health Alliance International Mobile Moms project.

July 15: Perspectives: How Faith-Based and Non-Religious Organizations Partner for Better Global Health– A forum to explore the intersection of global health and faith-based service. This panel event features William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Rich Stearns, CEO of World Vision US; and Abed Ayoub, CEO of Islamic Relief USA, among other community leaders for a conversation on how to work together to build trust between faith and non-faith based organizations.

Next 50 Health Fair – This public event provides free-of-charge access to diabetes and cholesterol screenings, vision and hearing examinations, immunizations, dental services, counseling and a wealth of information resources so that participants may learn about disease prevention and wellness. Presented by Seattle Center Foundation. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at KeyArena. Learn more at www.seattecenter.com.

The Next Fifty continues through Oct. 21 with events, attractions and family activities focusing on Arts, Culture and Design, History, Learning, Commerce and the Innovation Economy, and Civic Action. For more information on The Next Fifty and Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.